The WBF Top Classic Rock Albums

[Bill Hart]

I'll start, and this is by no means definitive:
On Led Zep, much as 'I' is my favorite album, it is blues driven, and 'II' is really more hard rock. So the nod goes to 'II.'
On Cream, toss up, Disraeli Gears or Fresh Cream?
Blind Faith may squeak in, only on the strength of two or three tracks, but I'd put that in honorable mention, rather than top albums. (It is also a terrible recording, but if we were grading sonics, I'm afraid Layla would fall off the list).
Layla- is this open to dispute?
Allman Bros Live at the Fillmore East
Hendrix- Are you Experienced?
I'm confining the list to 'Classic' which, by my definition is 60's-70's (maybe into the 80's).
Here's some that may be controversial, and not on everyone's list:
Steely Dan- Can't Buy a Thrill- I know the Dan has other albums that people like more, but this one has it all, and was their debut.
Emerson, Lake and Palmer- the self-titled album.
Tull- much as I like the early albums (Stand-up, Benefit, This Was), I think the nod has to go to Aqualung as the most influential of their albums.
Deep Purple- I'll leave this open, I'm a little ambivalent, I liked Ian Gillian's voice on 'In Rock,' but probably MachineHead.
Spirit- 12 Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus- not just because of Nature's Way, but because the entire album is an interesting mix of hard and psychedelic, e.g. 'Street Worm.'
Eagles- Love em or hate 'em, they were huge and influential- while I prefer a few tracks from the early albums, probably Hotel California.
ZZ Top- probably Tres Hombres, but I'm not going to argue about it.
Bowie- Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.
Jeff Beck- Truth- profoundly pre-Zep, wonderful, bad recording, a snapshot in time, not a top contender, but must get an honorable mention.
I left off The Band because I don't really see them as Classic Rock, much as I love them.
Same thing on Van Morrison, though if I had to pick it would "His Band and Street Choir," or St. Dominic's Preview.
Dire Straits- I like the music on Love Over Gold more than Brother in Arms, which usually gets the kudos.
Doobie Brothers- Toulouse Street- maybe second tier, but a great album.

I'll leave the rest to you.....

 

[rbbert]

...
Edit: Now that I look at the list, some of it can't really be considered classic rock, or rock, period, so please accept the post in the spirit it was written.

Actually, only 2 selections (Lou Reed and Love) probably count as classic rock, so if this topic isn't to become a travesty (per usual lately at WBF, unfortunately) maybe future posters should try to stay on-topic?

 

[Bill Hart]

Actually, only 2 selections (Lou Reed and Love) probably count as classic rock, so if this topic isn't to become a travesty (per usual lately at WBF, unfortunately) maybe future posters should try to stay on-topic?

Yeah, Felix is a good guy though, So, maybe he'll edit his posting down or change it. Rbbert, whaddyou got to share?
I know you have some that are deserving..... Let's make this a solid list!
Also, much as I love Lowell George and Little Feat, I'm not sure it fits into the mold of classic rock, and it may not have quite the mainstream status of a lot of these other acts/albums.

 

[treitz3]

Let's make this a solid list!

First off, thank you for starting this thread. Amen! I do feel that the WBF can collectively come up with a much better, respectable list for the top 25 Classic Rock Albums.

Also, much as I love Lowell George and Little Feat, I'm not sure it fits into the mold of classic rock, and it may not have quite the mainstream status of a lot of these other acts/albums.

Yeah, I was gonna suggest them as well but thought that they were more of a "Southern Rock" band. If folks would allow them into this WBF list, they definitely get my vote for the top 25 classic rock albums. Specifically, the Waiting for Columbus album. This album has been on frequent rotation ever since I was knee high to a duck and has still not lost interest in getting a good listening session in. Perhaps there are many that have the same thoughts but this is up to the WBF.

Let's make this list something to be proud of.

Tom

 

[rbbert]

As Greg posted in the other related topic, 25 seems like a small number

Allman Bros (Live at FE)
Band (The Band, Big Pink)
Beach Boys (Pet Sounnds)
Beatles (Sgt. Pepper's, Revolver)
Byrds (Younger Than Yesterday)
Clapton (Layla, Disraeli Gears)
Dylan (Highway 61 Revisited, Blonde on Blonde)
Hendrix (Electric Ladyland, AYE)
Jefferson Airplane (Surrealistic Pillow)
Iron Butterfly (In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida)
Big Brother & the Holding Company (Cheap Thrills)
Love (Forever Changes)
Led Zeppelin (Physical Graffiti, II)
Traffic (Traffic, Low Spark)
Small Faces (Ogden's Nut Gone Flake)
Santana (Abraxas, Santana)
Spirit (12 Dreams, Spirit)
Pink Floyd (DSOTM, WYWH)
Crosby Stills and Nash
Rolling Stones (Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers, Get Your Ya-ya's Out)
Steppenwolf
The Who (Who's Next, Live at Leeds, Quadraphenia)

There are plenty of my personal favorites not on that list, and probably plenty of influential (and/or others' favorites) also not here, but IIWII.

 

[Bill Hart]

I totally forgot about InaGaddadaVida, one of my earliest album purchases~ went to see them back in their heyday, the line up was: Mindgarage, Rhinoceros, and Iron Butterfly. Ha!

 

[rbbert]

I should probably add

Jethro Tull (Stand Up, Benefit, Aqualung)
Neil Young (Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, Harvest)
Yes (The Yes Album, Fragile)
King Crimson (ITCOTCK)
Janis Joplin (Pearl)
Jeff Beck (Truth)


although as I said there are undoubtedly many more which qualify

 

[mep]

I don't have 25 off of the top of my head yet, but here are 20 and I'm going to pick some LPs that aren't on somebody's buzz list of what they should say in order to be cool. This is all music that means something to me and shows I'm an old fart:

Tom Petty and Heartbreakers - Damn the Torpedoes!
The Who - Live at Leeds
The Beatles - Revolver
Steppenwolf - Steppenwolf
Chicago Transit Authority - Chicago Transit Authority
The Guess Who - American Woman
Jimi Hendrix - Electric Lady Land
Three Dog Night -Suitable For Framing
Buddy Holly - Buddy Holly
Santana - Abraxas
Rolling Stones - Sticky Fingers
Steve Miller Band - Fly Like an Eagle
ZZ Top - ZZ Top's First Album
The Dave Clark Five - Glad All Over
Elton John - Honky Chateau
Humble Pie - Smokin'
Elvis Costello - Armed Forces
Uriah Heap - Demons and Wizards
Moody Blues - Days of Future Passed
Steely Dan - Can't Buy a Thrill
Jackson Brown - The Pretender

 

[Bill Hart]

I should probably add

Jethro Tull (Stand Up, Benefit, Aqualung)
Neil Young (Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, Harvest)
Yes (The Yes Album, Fragile)
King Crimson (ITCOTCK)
Janis Joplin (Pearl)
Jeff Beck (Truth)


although as I said there are undoubtedly many more which qualify

all good!

 

[Bill Hart]

I don't have 25 off of the top of my head yet, but here are 20 and I'm going to pick some LPs that aren't on somebody's buzz list of what they should say in order to be cool. This is all music that means something to me and shows I'm an old fart:

Tom Petty and Heartbreakers - Damn the Torpedoes!
The Who - Live at Leeds
The Beatles - Revolver
Steppenwolf - Steppenwolf
Chicago Transit Authority - Chicago Transit Authority
The Guess Who - American Woman
Jimi Hendrix - Electric Lady Land
Three Dog Night -Suitable For Framing
Buddy Holly - Buddy Holly
Santana - Abraxas
Rolling Stones - Sticky Fingers
Steve Miller Band - Fly Like an Eagle
ZZ Top - ZZ Top's First Album
The Dave Clark Five - Glad All Over
Elton John - Honky Chateau
Humble Pie - Smokin'
Elvis Costello - Armed Forces
Uriah Heap - Demons and Wizards
Moody Blues - Days of Future Passed
Steely Dan - Can't Buy a Thrill
Jackson Brown - The Pretender

MEP, as long as nobody mentions GG Allin, we're cool.

 

[Shaffer]

Actually, only 2 selections (Lou Reed and Love) probably count as classic rock, so if this topic isn't to become a travesty (per usual lately at WBF, unfortunately) maybe future posters should try to stay on-topic?

Classic Rock is a newer name for Album Oriented Rock, or AOR. It's a radio format. The most restrictive, moist conservative, least expansive playlist in the history of radio. Music aimed at the lowest common denominator. No gym teacher could get that many people to behave alike. That's how it used to be, when AOR contended for the overall dollar, if you will. Now, the only AOR station in our 1M market is hosted by announcers in their 60s and every listener in a nursing home.

FWIW, AOR played the Clash, the B-52s, and a few other things outside of geezer rock in its latter days in hopes of expanding its reach. Didn't work.This thread may lend a clue as to why.

I deleted my entire post.

 

[mep]

Wow Felix. I'm not in a nursing home yet. I was surprised that you didn't have the Butthole Surfers and the Dead Kennedys on your list. And yes, for those of you that don't know, those are real names of bands.

 

[Shaffer]

Wow Felix. I'm not in a nursing home yet. I was surprised that you didn't have the Butthole Surfers and the Dead Kennedys on your list. And yes, for those of you that don't know, those are real names of bands.

None of their records qualify for "the best," not even off the top off my head. BTW, I bought my copy of Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables when I was 16. Time to move on.

 

[NorthStar]

In no particular spatial order ::

* Soft Machine - Third
* Yes - Close to the Edge
* Yes - Fragile
* Jimi Hendrix - The Jimi Hendrix Experience/Electric Ladyland
* The Doors - L.A. Woman
* Santana - Abraxas
* Pink Floyd - Meddle
* Van Morrison - T.B. Sheets
* Bob Dylan - Bringing it all Back Home
* T.Rex - The Slider
* Robin Trower - Bridge of Sighs
* Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Deja Vu
* C.C.R. (their first album)
* The Rolling Stones - Exile on Main Street
* Fleetwood Mac - Rumours
* Jackson Browne - Running on Empty
* E.L.P (their first album)
* The Police - Synchronicity
* King Crimson - In the Court of Crimson King
* Bruce Springsteen - The River
* The Beatles - Abbey Road
* The Eagles - Hotel California
* Jefferson Airplane - Surrealistic Pillow
* Neil Young - Harvest
* Black Sabbath - Paranoid
* Jethro Tull - Stand Up

________________

I could keep on till 100 ....

P.S. While making my own list I didn't check at all other member's lists.

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

Let me try to give this a shot, although we should really define what Classic Rock is. Cat Stevens isn't rock, but there is no denying his impact and influence during the time period Classic Rock likely defines. Here's my attempt:

Pink Floyd - Dark Side of The Moon
Supertramp - Crime Of The Century
Steppenwolf - Steppenwolf
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Deja Vu
Neil Young - Harvest
Bloomfield, Kooper, Stills - Supersession
The Rolling Stones - Let It Bleed
The Beatles - White Album
The Eagles - Desperado
David Bowie - The Rise And Fall of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars
Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Traffic - The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys
10cc - The Original Soundtrack
Derek and The Dominoes - Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs
Eric Clapton - 461 Ocean Boulevard
The Who - Who's Next
The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
Jimi Hendrix - Are You Experienced
King Crimson - In the Court Of The Crimson King
The Moody Blues - Days Of Future Past
Deep Purple - Machine Head
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Emerson Lake & Palmer
Electric Light Orchestra - Eldorado
The Doubie Brothers - Toulouse Street
Cream - Disraeli Gears

 

[Shaffer]

* Soft Machine - Third

...nice.

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

________________

I could keep on till 100 ....

Good list Bob and I forget about some you posted.....as such I could go on to 100 myself!

 

[Bill Hart]

Wow Felix. I'm not in a nursing home yet. I was surprised that you didn't have the Butthole Surfers and the Dead Kennedys on your list. And yes, for those of you that don't know, those are real names of bands.

I like the Dead Kennedys. The band, I mean. Not a political statement. I also liked the Angry Samoans, and very much liked Bad Brains. I have some good stories about some of these bands, some of which I can post, but I'll save it for another time.

 

[Bill Hart]

Let me try to give this a shot, although we should really define what Classic Rock is. Cat Stevens isn't rock, but there is no denying his impact and influence during the time period Classic Rock likely defines. Here's my attempt:

Pink Floyd - Dark Side of The Moon
Supertramp - Crime Of The Century
Steppenwolf - Steppenwolf
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Deja Vu
Neil Young - Harvest
Bloomfield, Kooper, Stills - Supersession
The Rolling Stones - Let It Bleed
The Beatles - White Album
The Eagles - Desperado
David Bowie - The Rise And Fall of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars
Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Traffic - The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys
10cc - The Original Soundtrack
Derek and The Dominoes - Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs
Eric Clapton - 461 Ocean Boulevard
The Who - Who's Next
The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
Jimi Hendrix - Are You Experienced
King Crimson - In the Court Of The Crimson King
The Moody Blues - Days Of Future Past
Deep Purple - Machine Head
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Emerson Lake & Palmer
Electric Light Orchestra - Eldorado
The Doubie Brothers - Toulouse Street
Cream - Disraeli Gears

Good list, John. Maybe we can collate this when it's done.

 

[treitz3]

...I deleted my entire post.

Hello, Shaffer. Would you possibly reconsider this decision? Your thoughts should not be discounted any more than anybody else. It's a collective effort creating the WBF top 25. Our collective list has got to be better than the other one. FWIW.

Tom